'THE SECRET OF THE SEA AND OTHEII COLONIAL STORIES.'

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 6, 8 February 1900, Page 28

'THE SECRET OF THE SEA AND OTHEII COLONIAL STORIES.'

This is the title of a very readable volume of short tales by ' Lux.' the nom-dr-jriunt? ot a Christohurch lady, and published by Messrs. Simpson and Williams of the City of the Plains. It would be hardlj r correct to call all the items, which go to make up the substantial volume of 42.) pages, tales, for some of them might be classed as reminiscences, and very pleasant reading they are. The tales are told in a most entertaining manner, and although there is a moral taught in nearly all of them, still the author manages to do so without offending the susceptibilities of the reader, who likes not to be preached at. especially by an anonymous writer. The tales are told in a natural, simple style, without any straining after effect ; and yet many of them — evidently sketches from real life — have all tho frame work for a whole volume of fiction in themselves, had the writer cared to add the garnishing and wealth of detail, which are the special features of many such works now-a-daya. The writer is evidently a close student of human nature, and her stories are told in a manner which ongages the attention of the read or from start to finish, and the hook is laid down with a feeling of regret that the fortunes or vicissitude^ of the hero or heroine had not been detailed at greater length. The volume is well printed, neatly bound, and should becuinc a general favourite, especially when we consider tho great run which many works of fiction have in these days, with little to recommend them sa\e that they have the name of some well-known writer on the cover, and aivi-^uedby a London publishing house with a big reputation.

Push is a good thing ; everyone admits th.it You've doubtless heard of the youngster who applied for a billet. The employer baid . ' Well, uiy boy, what's your motto in life .'" 'Same as you've got on your electric doorbell, sir— Push !' The small boy got the job. They're doing a good bit of lively pushing at Ladysuiith just now, and before long the liritis-h troops will have 'pushed' the Boers into a 'cocked hat.' It's a pretty btubborn thing that can resist tho steady strain of British ' push.' Sometimes the pushing has to be kept up for a good long spell before it begins to have the effect desired, but in the long run the opposition is bound to give in. If you only give it time the continued drip of a drop of water will wear a hole in a btone ! Fact I Look at the results, for instance, in the case of Hondai-Lanka Tea. For a long time ie was an uphill task. Tho trade were quite willing to cell high-grade tens, but they couldn't >-co the fun of doing with smaller profits than the common-blended brands paid. "S\ ell, as we simply couldn't give the superlative quality and allow big profits wo decided to stick to the quality, and — just push ! What's the result .' Grocers have now found that the increase in their stiles, and the satisfaction given to their customers, more than made up for the slightly smaller profits in Hondai-Lanka Ceylon Teas, and now dozens of grocers are pushing our teas, to the exclusion of ' Sky Rocket ' and other well-known blends. Another fact! We are still punhing hard, and we've got big way on now, and are getting on rapidly towards the top. That's the only place where there's room for Hondai-Lanka Teas. If you've any 'cuteness at all you must see it will pay you to use the°e Teas. The Hondai-Lanka Ceylon Brands, Maharajah, Baranhenyia, and Diamond Jubilee, are all of exquisite quality, rich — so rich and syrupy that they go far further than blends — and are guaranteed to give satisfaction to the most fastidious. Your grocer may be one of those behind-the-time men who do not stock them ; but if you 'push ' enongh he'll soon supply you with our Teas. Just keep your eye on us and you'll see tke result of ' push.' Our sales are continually rising, steadily but surely, and if you know a good Tea when you taste it we'll soon have you supporting us in our work of ' pushing ' this purest and finest of Tea into every household in the South Island I Agent for Southland, Mr. D. Roche, Invercargill ; Waimate, Messrs. Manchester Bros, and Goldsmith. — ***

Mv, P. LUNDON, Phojnix Chambers, Wanganui, is still busy putting people on the soil. He has also hotels in town and country For Sale and To Lease. Write to him. — %*